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Free online health education films for breeders

12th April 2016 - 3:00 PM

The Kennel Club have launched a revolutionary new online
learning resource, the Kennel Club Academy, to provide, amongst other
things, education, experience and advice to breeders on how to
responsibly breed healthy dogs.

The Kennel Club Academy offers a series of films that cover
topics on pre-breeding considerations, such as understanding
inheritance, health testing and how to maximise the chances of
producing healthy offspring. All films have been developed by
experts in their fields and offer users an insight into their
knowledge and experience.

The aim of these films is to provide all breeders, whether they
are new to breeding or very experienced, with the means by which to
further their understanding of the rapidly developing science of
dog breeding. These free videos also highlight the health
information available to modern dog breeders and stress how they
can be used effectively.

The Kennel Club Academy is free to all dog breeders and will
continue to enhance user's knowledge as further films are added. As
the Kennel Club Academy develops, additional information will be
accessible on all aspects of dog breeding, rearing, owning and
caring for dogs.

The Kennel Club Academy can now be accessed here. Films
that are currently available for breeders include:

Dog breeding - is it right for me?, which
discusses why people may breed from their dogs, the benefits of
doing so, and steps to ensure that your lifestyle, home environment
and dogs are all suitable for dog breeding.

"Dog breeding - Where to start", which
introduces the concept of breeding for "whole dog" health, and
making balanced breeding decisions to optimise positive
characteristics and reduce risks to health and welfare.

"Getting started with genes and inheritance",
which introduces the basics of what genes are, how they are the
building blocks of what our dogs become, and what they can pass on
to their offspring.

"Getting started with DNA testing", which
introduces the basics of what genes are, how they are the building
blocks of what our dogs become, and what a dog can pass on to their
offspring.

"Getting started with simple and complex inherited
disorders", which provides viewers with an understanding
of what simple and complex inherited disorders are, and practical
tools and advice to reduce the risk of passing on inherited
diseases.

"How to use Mate Select", which takes
a closer look at the Kennel Club's Mate Select, with
discussion and explanation of how to optimise the Mate Select
services - what they are, how they work, and how to use them to
meet your goals.

"Getting started with inbreeding and
selection" which provides an introduction to inbreeding
and selection, and how these two concepts are "two sides of the
same coin"- with plenty of myth busting and practical
considerations.

"Getting started with DNA testing", equips the
viewer with the knowledge and understanding of various types of DNA
tests to help them prioritise and select appropriate tests for
their dogs and how to avoid pit-falls of DNA testing.

Other learning resources are also available via the Kennel Club
Academy for dog show judges and members of The Kennel Club
Accreditation Scheme for Instructors in Dog Training and Canine
Behaviour (KCAI).

The breeder information is free of charge, whilst the cost for
judge's education is £26 a year, with access to all courses. The
costs for KCAI scheme members will be £5 per assessment.